How Netflix changed the game: Watching TV will never be the same

Netflix has flipped the script on entertainment, redefining how we watch movies and series in today’s digital world.

By shifting control to the viewer, the streamer has changed not just what we watch but how we experience the stories on screen.

What began as a humble DVD Rental service has now evolved into a global streaming giant that's seemingly giving Television and cinema a run for their money.

In the beginning, Netflix kicked off its journey by mailing DVDs to customers, but as the popularity of the internet grew and the advances in technology were made, it over-time turned itself into a streaming service back in 2007.

This move allowed them to take many steps back and move away from the traditional rigid schedules of cabe, starting the era of on demand entertainment.

Binging

One of the streaming giant’s transformative and game changing innovations was the popularisation of 'binge-watching,' releasing episodes of a season at once so viewers could enjoy watching multiple episodes in one go or at their own pace and schedule.

It removed the concept of new episodes being aired out weekly, letting audiences watch the entire series back to back or however they pleased to watch it, as per their own will.

This change has completely transformed storytelling, shows are now written to hold the viewer’s attention and are designed to keep them watching for hours, with cliffhangers at the end of each episode.

The ability to binge watch shows like Stranger Things, Outer Banks, Squid Games and Ginny and Georgia, helped them quickly gain global fame within a few days.

As fans binged their favourite content in a rush and quickly shared their reactions on social media platforms, it created even more buzz online garnering even more popularity of not only the shows/films but the streaming service as well.

This kind of immediate mass viewing experience is unique to streaming, and far beyond what cable TV ever offered.

What happens to Cable TV?

Cable ruled the screen for many years, but in today’s streaming era, paying for hundreds of unwatched TV channels not only feels outdated but it isn’t feasible either.

Streaming brings unmatched convenience and value. It’s cheaper, easier and much more flexible making cable feel outdated. Now, Amazon, HBO and other networks have joined the digital race.

Personalized Content

Rather than broadcasting the same content to everyone, like cable does, streaming services use algorithms to recommend shows that reflect the viewer’s personal interests.

Opened Gates for Foreign Content

Thanks to streaming services, what was once a rarity, foreign language films and series have become more accessible than ever and increased in popularity, with these platforms like Netflix, Amazon and other platforms making international content readily available to the audience everywhere, bringing it to the mainstream.

Shows like the iconic Spanish series Money Heist, the beloved and thrilling South Korean series Squid Game or the German series Dark got popular among the global audiences.

Streaming platforms are making the world aware of how great storytelling knows no borders can originate from anywhere in the world.

But with all the benefits streaming brings for the masses, it is bound to also have its drawbacks.

With so many streaming services that have entered the market, Netflix is no longer the only competing player.

This has left the audience feeling pressured to subscribe to more than just one platform so they can keep up. But this could likely result in people growing tired of the costs increasing and also make them overwhelmed with so many options to choose from.

And with such enormous amounts of content available online, many users might find themselves unable to decide and pick what to watch, making them scroll endlessly instead of choosing something to watch.

However, the downside of streaming doesn’t take away from the fact that streaming has actually changed the way we as consumers watch our content.

Netflix has completely altered how the audience experiences entertainment in less than 20 years, offering viewers a more customised and convenient way to watch what they love.

It isn’t just challenging the traditional systems, it is setting the bar for modern entertainment.